9 September 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

It is hard to believe that we are in the second last week of term. Well done to all parents, teachers and students for surviving such a difficult term of home schooling. I think everyone will be looking forward to a break from the home-schooling and maybe even some reducing of restrictions over the holidays.

SASS Week

This week we recognise the work of our School Administration and Support Staff. Our super-efficient administration team of Pam Davison, Luise Nealon, Annabel Marsden and Danni Wareham, our wonderful general assistant Barry, our dedicated team of teacher’s aides Steph, Jayne, Mary, Holly and Justine and our IT support Greg Wetzler. They all work to support the teachers and students of Manly Vale Public School and we would like to pay tribute to the hours of work they put in behind the scenes to make sure that the school functions, and is able to deliver the highest quality of education to our students.

Stay at Home Recommendations

Until recently our Manly Vale Public School families have been amazing at matching the attendance average of 5-8% across all Greater Sydney Public Schools and for that we thank you. This week however, we increase from 5% to over 12% attendance. We cannot sustain an increase without increasing staffing at school and we firmly believe this is not a realistic option nor a safe option whilst majority of our staff remain only partially vaccinated or in some cases have yet to be vaccinated. There is less than a week left until school holidays so please keep your children home and safe if you are working from home.

Disco - Thursday 2 September

Last week we had a great whole school virtual disco. Thank you to every parent, teachers and students who attended the disco. It was lovely to see all your faces on zoom and we have over 200 students on camera at one stage.

This week, Kindergarten teachers will host a zoom on Friday at 11.30am with their classes. Year 1 and Year 2 classes will have a social zoom Wednesday 15 September at 2.00 and 2.30pm. Please be aware that students attending school these days from these years will not be participating in the zoom calls. With skeleton staff at school and a variety of classes all combined into one. It is difficult to organise technology and separate zooms (7 classes) for students who are onsite those days.

Congratulations Mrs Young - Baby boy Tully

Mrs Madi Young, teacher from 1Y, has had a beautiful baby boy Tully. After a rocky start, mum and baby came home just before Father’s Day last weekend. We all want to send our congratulations to the Young family on their new additiona and look forward to a visit next term.

Kindergarten 2022 Orientation Zoom - Next Tuesday 14 September

Next Tuesday Mrs Lee, Mrs Oscroft and Mrs Robertson will host the first part of our Kindergarten orientation program via zoom. Thank you to all the new parents who have sent in questions via the google form which we will endeavour to answer during the session. A virtual tour is available on the school’s website along with a lot of information which can assist with your transition to Manly Vale. If you have not yet enrolled in the school please do so by next Tuesday and join in the zoom session with us.

“Stage 3 Goes to Canberra” - virtual excursion

Last week our Years 5 and 6 students were due to visit Canberra as part of the Stage 3 camp. The teachers decided to host virtual excursions to our nation’s capital and the students enjoyed creating virtual models of the local places on interest. The use of technology and incorporating programs like Minecraft, meant that our Stage 3 students were able to enjoy the sites of Canberra from afar. Congratulations on all the teachers and students in Stage 3 who actively engaged in this camp to Canberra last week! You’ll be happy to know that no one was home sick and missing their parents during this excursion!

School Security

Once again, the school was impacted by vandalism last weekend. Graffiti was drawn on a lot of the COLAs areas and bins by local youths. The police have been notified and last Saturday, School Security were called by our wonderful neighbours, but unfortunately by the time they arrived the youths had gone. School security will now be putting on patrols on the weekend to try and catch the people doing the vandalism.

Please call School Security on 1300 880 021 or Dee Why police on 9971 3399 and report any trespassing in school property on the weekends. We are looking at installing more fencing and security cameras over the next few weeks to assist with keeping the school safe.

No Scaredy Cats - Webinar for parents

Please see below a flyer for an interactive webinar which offers parents reliable and easy to implement strategies to identify and challenge anxious behaviours and build resilience in your children. Please feel free to use the QR code on the flyer to purchase the 3 interactive sessions.

P&C Position Descriptions – Vacancies coming up for 2022

President Role: (Currently James Fewtrell - vacant at the end of 2021)

The President chairs all general and executive committee meetings of the association. The role of the President includes providing leadership acting as a spokesperson for the association reporting to P&C meetings about the activities of the P&C exercising some supervision of the functions of other office bearers ensuring adequate and efficient communication exists between the members of the association and the members of the school board encouraging parents to participate.

Specific:

• Ensuring good communications with the School
• Responding correspondence email and letter, as required
• Resolving issues through P&C Executives participation
• Providing guidance and P&C Exec support to P&C Sub-committees and P&C representatives,
• Expected Level of Effort: 10 Hours / month

Vice President Role (vacant – 2 positions)

The role includes presiding as chair at meetings where the President is absent being familiar with the operation of the P&C becoming acquainted with the duties of President having a working understanding of meeting rules and procedure undertaking tasks to reduce the burden of the President.

Specific:

• Vice President 1: Oversighting P&C Sub-committees work by selectively attending subcommittee meetings and then assisting the P&C meetings accordingly.
• Vice President 2: Oversighting P&C Representative’s work in School Committees by selectively attending School committees and then assisting the P&C meetings accordingly.

Secretary: (Currently Karen Murtgatroyd)

• prepare and circulate P&C meeting agendas
• record and circulate minutes from P&C meetings
• maintain contact lists for P&C position holders
• maintain an actions list from meetings

The demands of this position can fluctuate but on average requires a minimum commitment of 10 hours per month.

Treasurer: (Currently Tony Sherlock- vacant at the end of 2021)

• Receipt and care of all P&C monies.
• Payment of authorised bills from P&C funds
• Bookkeeping of P&C accounts.
• Organising insurance for the P&C
• Reporting to P&C members on a regular basis the receipts and payments handled.
• Preparing a Financial Statement of Income and Expenditure and a Balance Sheet for the audit of the P&C books. The demands of the role vary throughout the year.
• In the first half of the year the hours needed are minimal, but at least 10 hours a month is needed in the second half of the year.

Support for Families

Some helpful links below:

Provides free, reliable, up-to-date and independent information to help families grow and thrive together. Contains information on COVID-19 and how to help your family cope.

Information on how to stay safe online during the COVID –19 pandemic

Provides telephone counselling, information and referral service for parents and carers of children ages 0 to 18 who live in New South Wales. Ph: 1300 130 052

Brings together families, support services and community resources so that our children and young people are safe and well. Ph: 1800 066 757

Information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ph: 1800 512 358

Resources for parents and carers to best support their children and reduce worry and distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tina Lee – Principal

Young Archie Challenge

Learning from Home

KINDY GALLERY

STAGE 1 GALLERY

STAGE 2 GALLERY

5T GALLERY

Dates for your Diary

Community Notices

Northern Beaches Council Vacation Care

The link to the Spring brochure is:

The link to the Vacation Care website is:

Australian Red Cross Mobile Blood Bank

Got a bit of spare time? Time to give blood and change lives? 1 in 3 people in Dee Why will need blood, and they need people like you to give it. We’re rolling into town from 13-21 September. Don’t forget to pre-book your spot at donateblood.com.au, on our app or on 13 14 95.

School Information